GALLERY: Guinness Play On The Day Grand Final

Whelan's was packed for what turned out to be a coruscating night of brilliant music. Hot Sprockets, The Calvinists and Protobaby all delivered excellent sets, setting the bar at an unprecedented high. But the Donegal band, who were last on, turned in a stunning performance featuring extraordinary vocals and harmonies to die for.

Click here for all the pictures from the night.

The judges - Niall Stokes and Roisin Dwyer of Hot Press, Cormac Battle and Paddy McKenna of RTE 2fm and Shilpa Ganatra of The Star - deliberated long and hard but in the end there could be only one winer on the night.

"It was really tough," Niall Stokes, Editor of Hot Press said, "but In Their Thousands were absolutely brilliant. The feeling among the judges was that this is a band with huge international potential. They are superb musicians making a truly original and epic noise. All of the bands should be proud of reaching the final. I am thrilled that the quality was so exceptional tonight and my heart goes out to the bands that didn't win. But In Their Thousands blew the judges away, which is all you can ever hope for."

2fm's Dave Fanning and Dan Hegarty were broadcasting live from the Roadcaster outside. RTE 2fm’s Dave Fanning said “Fair play to all of the bands for putting in great performances throughout the competition. Once again, it shows there is some serious quality music being made in this country.”

The lucky winners will get their mitts on a prize package including a full recording session with a senior Record Producer in RTÉ studios, and thousands of euro worth of top-of-the-range musical instruments, including equipment from Fender, Tanglewood Guitars, Premier Drums and Casio.